FACTORS INFLUENCING GENERAL-PRACTITIONER REFERRAL TO A CHILD PSYCHIATRIC-SERVICE

Objective: To investigate factors influencing general practitioner ref errals of children with psychiatric disorders to specialist services. Method: One hundred and sixty seven general practitioners were asked t o complete a detailed questionnaire concerning their referral practice s. Results: Emotional disorder, conduct disorder, drug abuse and habit disorder were the problems most likely to be referred to the child ps ychiatric clinic. Parental concern and the severity of the child's ill ness were considered to be more important than social circumstances in determining referral to specialist services. Conclusions: Many genera l practitioners indicated that they would have referred children with psychiatric disorders to specialist services other than child psychiat ry. Proactive liaison work is needed to increase the awareness and con fidence of general practitioners in child psychiatric services.